plate no. 3598
Nun
Julio Romero de Torres, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations. It also offers practice in rendering drapery and creating a sense of depth through tonal shifts.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the figure, veil, and background.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the skin tones.
- step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the form of the veil, using light and shadow to create a sense of volume.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add the details of the hand and rosary.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious composition.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use blue and black to create the dark background. Mix white with a touch of yellow ochre and umber for the veil.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·tonal painting
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations.
- →Making the veil too bright and flat.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended.
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